International Relations and National Security Studies at Yale University

Yale's International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's degree shows an estimated first-year salary of $37,198 against projected debt of $21,500—a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio that looks reasonable on paper. However, this figure falls notably short of what similar programs produce elsewhere in Connecticut, where the state median sits at $47,391. Fairfield and Connecticut College both report outcomes near $49,000 and $46,000 respectively, suggesting Yale graduates in this field may be entering lower-paying public service or fellowship roles that prioritize mission over immediate compensation.

The gap between Yale's estimated outcomes and peer Connecticut programs deserves scrutiny. While Yale's 5% admission rate and 1534 average SAT score signal exceptional student quality, this particular major appears to channel graduates toward career paths that don't immediately translate academic prestige into higher salaries. That's not necessarily problematic if your child plans to pursue graduate school, competitive government fellowships, or nonprofit work where Yale's network matters more than starting salary.

For families paying full freight at an elite private institution, these earnings estimates—even if they rise substantially in later years—represent a financial trade-off. If your child qualifies for significant financial aid, the modest debt load makes this viable. But if you're facing six-figure total costs, understand that this specific field at Yale appears to prepare students for careers where the return on investment develops slowly, and where the school's brand may matter more for long-term trajectory than immediate post-graduation earnings.